By Kathryn LIlley
According to some writing gurus, there are somewhere between seven to 36 basic plot lines in fiction (depending on which expert you believe) that structure most works of fiction. Here is a list of some of the plot lines that are often described as basic elements comprising all works of fiction:
Happy Ending/Comedy
Tragic Ending
“Literary” Ending (Plot revolves around a question or sense of fate, rather than actions or decision)
Other sources break down the Big Three plot lines into more specific categories:
Overcoming the Monster
Quest
Rags to Riches (Or Riches To Rags And Back To Riches)
Voyage And Return
Mystery
Crime Pursued By Vengeance/Prevention of Bigger Crime (a plot line that would define most thrillers)
I have to admit, I started looking into the notion of basic plots because I once took a Hollywood screenwriting seminar delivered by one of the better known screenwriting teachers in LA. He first introduced me to the idea that there were only a limited set of original plot lines in fiction, most of which harked back to classic Greek drama.
Check out this link to a summary of some of the prevailing notions of a limited set of fundamental, archetypal plot lines in fiction, and let me know–are people getting carried away with the idea? I think a story’s plot itself is less Important than the way that story is told–the plot, however basic and fundamental, must be told in a way that is fresh, original, and compelling. And making a stale plot seem fresh and new (aka rags to riches==>Cinderella==>Pretty woman): that is the hardest part of writing.
But I suspect I my story structure and story coach colleagues (and everyone else) might have some thoughts about this topic. Please share yours?
Kathryn,
Thanks for the fascinating list of variations. I hadn’t seen the 36 before and will print them out.
Can’t remember which old-time Hollywood icon said there are only two plots:
1. Someone goes on a trip.
2. A stranger rides into town.
Those two sound the same, but from a different POV.
The deeper I got into the weeds with this
Topic, the more it seemed to me that one can think in terms of general topic themes, but the list of 36 seemed to be a bit of a reach. Thanks for commenting, Debbie and Augustina!
I’ve seen a lot of these lists on the internet (just Google plots). However true it may be that there are a limited number of plots (a logical idea), the lists seem to be a bit of trap for the unwary writer.
The idea is to tell a great story that readers love, not to shoehorn your tale into someone’s preconceived idea of a classic plot that Sophocles invented. Many craft techniques can be similarly misused. To me, awareness of technique and structure is like the education you get in elementary school. It’s not meant to constrain, but to give you a round, extensive view of the world.
If you’re searching around for a plot, these lists might give you some ideas, but I’d dump them after that.
That said, I’ve never seen a successful commercial genre novel yet that didn’t align closely with the classic 3-act/4-part story model. And if you ask any professional story editor, they’ll tell you that the stories from new writers that fail are from writers who did, in fact, “dump” the structural model that both the market and the profession has adopted. Great freedom exists within that model, so nothing is compromised. Exceptions exist, but that’s like playing the lottery (they exist mostly in literary fiction and college lit term papers). Bad advice for any new writer.
That’s true about structure, which is an integral component of plot, you’re right. Thanks for jumping in, Stephen and Larry!
I like looking at plot patterns, and sometimes they can be helpful in brainstorming. For instance, I will sometimes scroll through Polti’s 36 Dramatic Situations, letting the components trigger possibilities for plot twists, character motivation, etc.
But I wouldn’t try to forge a book from a pattern. Better to let a character and death stakes grab you and start building from there. Follow the organic trail!
Your comment reminded me of a mystery plot wheel I once read about, good for jump starting plot twist ideas. Off to Google now to try to rediscover the wheel… ?
Hah! Found a source discussing plot wheels, some of which were actually patented. But Stephen King does not approve of ’em, evidently. http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/10/nanowrimo-erle-stanley-gardner-perry-mason-plot-wheels.html
Like Jim, plot patterns can jumpstart a book when I’m working on a synopsis. But I’m also wary of cookie cutter solutions.
The first plot twist that pops into my head is usually a cliche. This I have learned the hard way.